Brussels, 27 October 2009

Glenn Drake, Chairman of Direct Selling Europe (DSE), today announces further efforts of the DSE to achieve a full harmonization of the Consumer Rights in the EU. “The target of new consumer protection legislation needs to be aimed at all EU citizens and businesses equally. It needs to define the optimal level of protection for European consumers across all Member States whilst stimulating trade and avoiding to hamper business” said Mr Drake.

Cross-border transactions in the European Internal Market and in Direct Selling in particular continue to be burdened by legislative, fiscal and other hurdles. Creating a true Internal Market for all European consumers and businesses and removing barriers to cross-border trade remain of top priorities for Direct Selling Europe (DSE), the trade association representing half of the European direct selling sector[1].

In February of this year the Competitiveness Council already underlined the importance of improving the Internal Market in its Key Issues Paper 2009 - contribution from the Competitiveness Council to the Spring European Council. It states that “Particular attention should be given to the proposed Directive on Consumer Rights, which should lead to improved functioning of the internal market to the benefit of consumers and businesses, […]. Efforts should be pursued to increase confidence of consumers and businesses in the internal market. Focusing on eliminating factors that make business-to-consumers cross-border transactions more difficult is essential for boosting performance of the internal market.

DSE expresses its full endorsement to the recent further impetus given to continue to develop and improve the Internal Market at the highest levels in the European Institutions by Mr Barroso, President of the Commission who this week entrusted Mr Mario Monti with the mission of preparing a report on the re-launch of the single Market. As Mr Barroso announced in his Political Guidelines, “the Single Market requires renewed political determination so that it can withstand the threat of economic nationalism and fulfil all its potential”. DSE fully endorses this stance.

DSE also commends the actions suggested by Commissioner Kuneva in her communication of 16 October 2009 on the EC E-Commerce final report. Simplification of “the legal maze” is and should be a top priority for Europe.

Commissioner Kuneva rightly underlines that it is essential to “create a simple, single set of rights for EU consumers such as laid down in the proposal for the Consumer Rights Directive, which aims to replace the current confusing patchwork of laws with one simple EU-wide set of rights, offering equal protection to consumers while reducing compliance costs for retailers and offering them legal clarity”.

DSE is convinced that “Full Harmonisation of Consumer Rights in the Internal Market is the most appropriate way to achieve the objectives of a strong Internal Market” and commends the European Commission’s actions.

Contact:

Marc Pouw
Managing Director

About DSE:

DSE represents Direct Selling Companies and National Associations that:

• have the highest regard for consumer rights and consumer protection
• operate based on principles, ethics and sustainable business practices.
• distribute products of undisputed reputation and quality in a BtoC context
• offer any interested independent entrepreneur an honest and long-term opportunity to earn an income
• respect national legislations and go beyond to the point where EU Institutions and various Member State Governments do not need to police DSE Members
• ensure a large part of their production in the EU
• operate based on the highest standards in the business

DSE brings together the best names in direct selling in Europe and from all over the world.

DSE is the federation of trade associations and companies representing the interests of the sustainable direct selling industry in the EU. The federation was founded in January 2007 by national direct selling associations from Germany Austria, Switzerland and Belgium and by a number of the following Europe-wide operating well reputed direct selling companies: AMC International AG, Dr Phil. Egon Mueller Service Gmbh*, inmediaONE] GmbH Bertelsmann Direktvertriebe, Déesse AG, Just International AG, Lux International AG, Nutrimetics*, Pierre Lang Europe Handels GmbH, Tupperware Brands Corporation, Vorwerk & Co. KG, Victoria-Benelux*, WIV Wein International AG.

DSE member companies represent the “nucleus” of the sustainable direct selling industry in Europe. Most of these well known, long-established enterprises have been active on the European market for 50 years or more. They distribute products of high-quality and of high-visibility brands which are in strong demand with consumers. They have pioneered the European direct-selling market and helped to establish the legal basis for fair practices in selling methods.

DSE’s members have their headquarters located in Europe. Production, control and distribution of their products is largely European.

* Companies joined in 2009

[1] Turnover based on DSE Membership consisting of 4 National Associations and International Companies active in all 27 EU Member States.